Very Good
#555 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 21% in state
James W Smith Elementary
Elementary School · Craven County Board of Education
150 Koonce Town Road, Cove City, NC 28523
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#555 of 2,648
In district
#5 of 26
Craven County Board of Education
Academic growth
8.2 / 10
Excellent
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James W Smith Elementary
Elementary School in Cove City · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Claysmill Rd Christian Acadamy
4.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Swift Creek Mennonite School
8.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James W Smith Elementary
James W Smith Elementary is a public elementary school in Cove City, NC, part of Craven County Board of Education. James W Smith Elementary serves approximately 330 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. James W Smith Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #555 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for James W Smith Elementary show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.8 · Very Good
- District avg 5.9
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
James W Smith Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
James W Smith Elementary — Students at James W Smith Elementary score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.2/10.
How James W Smith Elementary Compares
See how James W Smith Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
150 Koonce Town Road, Cove City, NC 28523
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James W Smith Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pollocksville Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Pollocksville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chicod (rated 8.9/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Greenville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Trent Park Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby New Bern), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cove City, see our Cove City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CLAYSMILL RD CHRISTIAN ACADAMY Dover | 4.1 mi | 5.4 |
| SWIFT CREEK MENNONITE SCHOOL Grifton | 8.0 mi | — |
| West Craven Middle New Bern | 8.2 mi | 2.8 |
| West Craven High Vanceboro | 8.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Vanceboro-Farm Life Elementary Vanceboro | 9.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Grifton Grifton | 11.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Chicod Greenville | 14.8 mi | 8.9 |
| Trenton Elementary Trenton | 15.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Jones Senior High School Trenton | 15.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Ben D Quinn Elementary New Bern | 14.2 mi | 4.7 |
| New Bern High New Bern | 14.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Ayden-Grifton High Ayden | 14.8 mi | 6.0 |
| H J MacDonald Middle New Bern | 14.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Craven Early College High New Bern | 14.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Contentnea-Savannah School Kinston | 13.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Craven Virtual Academy New Bern | 15.2 mi | 3.4 |
| Trent Park Elementary New Bern | 15.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Pollocksville Elementary Pollocksville | 17.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Oaks Road Academy New Bern | 15.2 mi | 2.9 |
| Grover C Fields Middle New Bern | 15.6 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28523 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$45,283
Median Home Value
$167,700
Median Rent
$667/mo
Population
2,710
College Educated
19.7%
Homeownership
71.6%
Avg Commute
28.6 min
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Median Age
45.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A.C.E. Academy Harrisburg, NC | 7.8 |
| Brush Creek Elementary Marshall, NC | 7.8 |
| Dobson Elementary Dobson, NC | 7.8 |
| Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary Smyrna, NC | 7.8 |
| Dr John Codington Elem Wilmington, NC | 7.8 |
| Forrest W. Hunt Elementary School Forest City, NC | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James W Smith Elementary
What grades does James W Smith Elementary serve?
James W Smith Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend James W Smith Elementary?
James W Smith Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 330 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James W Smith Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at James W Smith Elementary is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James W Smith Elementary rank in NC?
James W Smith Elementary ranks #555 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is James W Smith Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James W Smith Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at James W Smith Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James W Smith Elementary has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is James W Smith Elementary a charter school?
No, James W Smith Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James W Smith Elementary a Title I school?
No, James W Smith Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James W Smith Elementary?
99.1% of students at James W Smith Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 330
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Craven County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.2%
- Phone
- (252) 514-6466
Resources & Links
District
Craven County Board of Education- District Enrollment
- 12,584
- Schools in District
- 26
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,893
- District Rank
- #5 of 26
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